Breckenridge Ski Resort

Like the baggy-pants jibb ers who frequent Breckenridge’s no. 3–ranked terrain parks, this resort gets a bad rap. Yes, it’s hard to get around. No, don’t go at Christmas. Yes, you’ll be sharing the slopes with first-timers. But if you’re looking for a great town and a big mountain where all types of skiers can find somewhere to play, meet Breck. From the T-bar’s steeps to Peak 7’s cruisers, the resort wins praise from parents and park rats alike. The circa-1850 mining town is reason enough to visit, no doubt helping to earn the resort a no. 6 ranking in Après, no. 9 in Dining and no. 7 in Off- Hill Activities—check Riverwalk Center for concerts and shows. But that’s all just gravy. The skiing is what matters, and Breck’s 2,358 acres really do have it all. “The best overall resort, even if it’s not the best in any one category.” Bad rap: set straight. —Heather Hansman

Off-Mountain Restaurant » Hit Relish, in a fresh second-story space on Main Street, for the best dinner or happy hour in town.

Bragging Rights » Sure, the Lake Chutes are steep, but The Burn and Mustang, on oft-ignored Peak 10, are steep and narrow.

Top Event » Ullr Fest, the town’s annual weeklong celebration and plea to the god of snow, is Jan. 8 to 14, 2012. Judging by last year’s 500-plus inches, it gets results.

This timeshare lodge is perfect for visitors that return to Breckenridge each year.

If you want a home-away-from-home, this timeshare lodge can be purchased from one to ten weeks per year, and is conveniently located next to the Independence SuperChair and the BreckConnect Gondola. Each timeshare owner can use the amenities regardless of whether they’re staying there or not: the pools, hot tubs, game room, soothe day spa, and movie theaters are all included. If you decide you’d like to take a year off from Breck, owners can travel to over 2,000 resorts around the world as part of the Interval International exchange network during their designated time.

Open for dinner, and lunch on the weekends, the Whale’s Tail has been serving fresh seafood in a fine dining setting since 1973.

Open for dinner, and lunch on the weekends, the Whale’s Tail has been serving fresh seafood in a fine dining setting since 1973. Enjoy $2 domestic bottled beer, $2 well drinks, and $3 house wines during the daily happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Happy hour deals continue with 10 cent shrimp and 50 cent chicken wings. For dinner, all seafood entrees come with the vegetable of the day and wild rice. Try the coconut shrimp or the jambalaya.

The lodge is made of timber-frame construction; a true overgrown log cabin experience. Located between Peak 8 and Peak 9 at the base of the slopes, the lodge has a spa, bar and grill, two swimming pools, six hot tubs, gym, arcade, children’s playground, and guided exercise classes. Each room has a kitchen and private balcony.

Ice Skating at the Stephen C. West arena is open year-round for indoor and outdoor skating. Drop in for public skating, participate in a hockey game, or try figure skating activities and camps. Skate rental, skate sharpening, and changing rooms are all available.

A thrilling and educational outing for the entire family near Baldy Mountain.

A thrilling and educational outing for the entire family at nearby Baldy Mountain. Take a break from adventure activities, and relax while you tour a real underground mine. Tours include a historical look at what miners of the 1800s faced as they made their livings drilling and blasting under the ground for gold and silver.

A great family summer activity at new heights. The Mountain Flight trip is the highest altitude hot air ballooning in the country, each adventure includes in-flight classical music, a champagne toast, breakfast, and a picture DVD of your flight. During the trip, your pilot will explain the history of ballooning, and point out prominent scenery.